Species at risk: assessment, education and habitat restoration on the Kettle and Stony Point First Nations Reserve

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With support from the Government of Canada’s Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) (Species at Risk Stream), the Chippewas of the Kettle and Stony Point First Nation (KSPFN) conducted a one-year habitat restoration project in 2014-2015 to address threats to two species at risk turtle species and 22 other species at risk.

Why this project is important

The KSPFN reserve in southern Ontario provides habitat for several species listed under Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA), including the Threatened Great Lakes/St. Lawrence population of Blanding’s Turtle (Emydoidea blandingii) and the Special Concern Snapping Turtle (Chelydra serpentina). These species at risk are threatened by habitat loss and degradation, illegal collection for the pet trade, and human persecution. Turtles may nest in the gravel along roadways making them vulnerable to vehicles and road maintenance and predation by small mammals.

What was done

The Chippewas of KSPFN, with assistance from Long Point Land Trust and community volunteers, constructed and installed turtle loafing platforms that will be installed at six locations on the reserve. They expanded ongoing assessments of wetland and forest habitats to document and map locations of species at risk and the impact of invasive alien species, wetland drainage, and tree harvesting activities on species at risk critical habitat. The Chippewas of KSPFN also focused on outreach and education programs to increase community awareness, engagement, and support for species at risk. For example, school students participated in day-long field excursions to learn about species at risk and habitat protection.

Achievements of this project

• Designed and constructed 16 turtle loafing platforms.
• Completed 10 days of freshwater coastal and interior wetland field surveys.
• Completed 7 days of terrestrial plant species at risk surveys and 5 days of reptile species at risk surveys.
• Established a Marsh Monitoring Program with Bird Studies Canada and community volunteers to monitor important marsh habitats and confirmed the presence of the SARA-listed Threatened Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis).
• Delivered a two-day education program with grades 4-8 students from Hillside School to increase awareness of species at risk.
• Held a community workshop attended by 80 KSPFN members to increase awareness, promote species at risk stewardship, and discuss long term opportunities for species at risk protection.

Significance of this project

The Chippewas of KSPFN reduced threats related to habitat loss for species at risk in the KSPFN lands by increasing habitat quality through protection of wetlands and invasive species removal, increasing habitat quantity through the construction of turtle loafing/nesting platforms and raising awareness and stewardship efforts within the community for continued species at risk protection.  

Aboriginal fund for Species at risk - Species at Risk stream
Email: ec.faep-afsar.ec@canada.ca